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Cubs beat Cardinals 17-5

Associated Press
10:49 p.m. CDT May 12, 2014

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Tyler Lyons rubs up the baseball as Chicago Cubs Mike Olt circles the bases, hitting a two run home run in the first inning at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on May 12, 2014. UPI/Bill Greenblatt(Photo: BILL GREENBLATT UPI)

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Junior Lake homered, doubled twice and drove in six runs as the Chicago Cubs broke loose, routing the St. Louis Cardinals 17-5 on Monday night.

The Cubs had totaled just four runs while getting swept in a three-game series at Atlanta over the weekend, and had lost seven of eight overall. Chicago has the worst record in the league at 13-24, but is 4-3 against the defending NL champions.

Mike Olt's two-run homer capped a four-run first. Leadoff man Emilio Bonafacio had four of Chicago's 20 hits and scored four times, once on a play overturned by video review.

Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro each drove in three as the Cubs set season highs for runs and hits.

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St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Tyler Lyons delivers a pitch to the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on May 12, 2014. BILL GREENBLATT UPI

St. Louis Cardinals Joey Butler stands in the dugout before a game against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on May 12, 2014. Butler made his Cardinals' debut on May 10, 2014, after getting called up on May 9. He struck out, pinch-hitting in the seventh inning at Pittsburgh. BILL GREENBLATT UPI

May 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Mike Olt (left) is congratulated by catcher Welington Castillo (right) after hitting a two run home run off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Tyler Lyons (not pictured) during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Cubs Mike Olt watches the baseball leave Busch Stadium for a two run home run in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on May 12, 2014. BILL GREENBLATT UPI

St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Allen Craig jumps but cannot come down with the baseball off the bat of Chicago Cubs Mike Olt in the first inning at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on May 12, 2014. The hit was good for a two run home run. BILL GREENBLATT UPI

May 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Tyler Lyons (70) looks on after giving up a three run home run to Chicago Cubs center fielder Junior Lake (21) during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

May 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Junior Lake (21) hits a three run home run off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Tyler Lyons (not pictured) during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

May 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Junior Lake (21) rounds third base after hitting a three run home run off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Tyler Lyons (not pictured) during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Tyler Lyons rubs up the baseball as Chicago Cubs Mike Olt circles the bases, hitting a two run home run in the first inning at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on May 12, 2014. BILL GREENBLATT UPI

Former St. Louis Rams cornerback Aeneas Williams is introduced to the fans at Busch Stadium before throwing a ceremonial first pitch at the Chicago Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on May 12, 2014. Williams, an 8 time Pro-Bowler will be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame this year. BILL GREENBLATT UPI

Miss Missouri 2014, Erica Sturdefant waits to throw a ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on May 12, 2014. BILL GREENBLATT UPI